Histopathologically Confirmed Nuck's Cyst Mimicking Lymphadenopathy in a Young Female: A Case Report

Abstract

Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck is an exceedingly rare congenital anomaly in females, often mimicking inguinal hernias and frequently misdiagnosed due to limited awareness. This report presents a 26-year-old woman with cyclical inguinal swelling, ultimately diagnosed intraoperatively as a Nuck's cyst, confirmed by histopathology revealing endometrial tissue within the cyst. The condition arises from persistent communication between the peritoneal cavity and the inguinal canal along the round ligament, leading to cyst formation. Surgical excision remains the definitive treatment, with approaches tailored according to cyst type and extent - open or laparoscopic - with additional repair of inguinal defects, as necessary. Accurate preoperative imaging and awareness are essential to differentiate Nuck's cyst from other inguinal masses, ensuring optimal outcomes and preventing complications such as herniation or torsion. This case underscores the importance of considering Nuck's cyst in the differential diagnosis of inguinal lesions in women and highlights the surgical principles for effective management.

Keywords: hydrocele of the canal of nuck; nuck's canal; nuck's cyst; surgical case reports; the canal of nuck.

Figure 1. Inflammatory-appearing lymph nodes measuring 8 × 4 mm and 10 × 6 mm

Figure 2. Violet lesion originating from the inguinal canal consistent with a Nuck’s cyst